Kerala Assembly refers Nativity Card Bill to Subject Committee

The Kerala Assembly on Monday (February 23, 2026) referred to the Subject Committee on Lane Revenue and Devaswom the Kerala Nativity Card Bill, aimed at issuing a legally valid document to establish one’s identity as a Keralite.

Minister for Revenue K. Rajan, who piloted the Bill, said the government had announced the nativity card so that a person born in Kerala irrespective of residence could be proud of his identity as a Keralite.

A person could be conscious and proud of their identity as an Indian citizen as well as a Keralite through this historical initiative, he said.

The Minister pointed out that the Indian Constitution ensured freedom, equality, and justice on the basis of citizenship. However, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) denied citizenship to many born and and brought up on Indian soil. The Act was proof of the Union government misusing the legislative process to implement certain agenda. Its implementation had resulted in massive apprehension among minority communities in Kerala. It was against this backdrop that the Chief Minister had declared that the CAA would not be implemented in Kerala, Mr. Rajan said.

Though the government issued nativity certificates to prove residency, the nativity card would realise the need for a legally valid document that established one’s identity as a Keralite, like in the case of citizenship provided for in the Constitution, the Minister said.

The Bill was also aimed at Keralites living abroad who had not forgotten their roots and their identity as a Keralite.

It will also be used to access State government services, assistance, and other “social requirements,” easing governance, especially as domestic migration increased in modern times.

The Bill was being presented in the 70th year since the formation of Kerala. Someone born in Kerala; whose parents were born in the State; or either parent was born here and who became permanent residents of the State would be issued the nativity card. It would reinforce the identity as a Keralite of a Malayali living anywhere in the world, he said.

Any personal details required by the government from time to time could also updated on the card.

However, the Minister pointed out that the Opposition was not present in the House to recognise and suggest any amendments to the Bill. The Union government had introduced the CAA, leaving many apprehensive and scared. Through the SIR, it had underscored that it would continue to implement its policy of exclusion. It was regrettable that the Opposition had not expressed solidarity with Keralites who had concerns about citizenship, Mr. Rajan said.